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Country Profiles |
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Reaching South African Youth with Health Messages through Soccer
AUGUST 2009 — Excitement ran through the crowd in rural Ramotshinyadi in South Africa's Limpopo province as the country's Bafana Bafana Football [soccer] Club prepared to face Iraq in the June 14 opening match of the FIFA 2009 Confederation Cup. Family Health International, the Ministry of Health, and local partners capitalized on this excitement as well as the match's proximity to Youth Day, June 16, to provide several days of healthy "edutainment" to the citizens of this village in Mopani, a priority health district for South Africa. |
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More than 2,000 people attended a viewing of the match and events leading up to it at Ramotshinyadi's community center and the village stadium. FHI provided information on health services, including nutrition; reproductive health; HIV prevention; and treatment, care, and support.
Another famous "personality," Kami, the HIV-positive character from Takalani Sesame (the South African version of Sesame Street), also raised awareness about HIV. Over three days, FHI trained 374 community members on the basics of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, family planning, and tuberculosis. In addition, two FHI mobile service units provided HIV counseling and testing to 435 community members. The Department of Health provided test kits and medications.
To increase demand for the service, staff demonstrated through role playing what to expect, even opening a test kit to show its simplicity. "Long queues formed," FHI Country Director Sonia Pilusa reported, "and as people learned about HIV at our information kiosks, they asked themselves 'What next?' and decided to get tested." Sixty-six tested HIV-positive and were referred to treatment, care, and support services. For the Bafana Bafana football team, the final score of 0 to 0 in its opening match against Iraq was a victory for South Africa. For the community, learning about HIV/AIDS and the services available to them was a victory as well. PHOTOS: (Top) The crowd cheers on a group of women soccer players from the local clinic during the June 16 festivities. (Middle) Soccer star André Arendse demonstrates his moves in front of the FHI booth while Kami, from Takalani Sesame, and community members look on. (Bottom) FHI mobile service units provided HIV counseling and testing to 435 community members over three days. — Clare Hayden Related Resources: FHI Launches Mobile Health Clinics in Rural South Africa (June 2008) "Bounce Out HIV" Basketball Tournament a Success (Sept. 2008) |
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FHI's health messages were echoed by a role model much admired by South African youth, André Arendse, a goalkeeper for South African's SuperSport United Football Club. Arendse demonstrated his moves and encouraged youth to stay healthy and focus on their education. 